Palin had been unfamiliar to most Americans, aside from some conservative writers and bloggers, who had admired her since she upended Alaska's Republican establishment by knocking off incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2006.

That all changed on August 29 - the morning after Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention - when Palin was introduced by McCain.

It wasn't just reporters who were stunned. Even McCain staffers at the event itself were shocked. Many assumed McCain would tap a GOP heavyweight like Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty. The most daring option, many thought, would be Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat.

But Palin's debut instantly energized the Republican base, which had long been cool to McCain, and the GOP ticket surged in the polls.

soundoff(224 Responses)

RealityKing

Sarah certainly exposed the MSM as liberal partisans more than will to put their agenda ahead of Americas right to unfiltered truth. And now..., deemed useless as tits on a worthog, MSM liberal parrots should be skip over, in order to access their real source, Obama's website.

November 5, 2008 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

Chris from St. Louis

Palin ... you need to learn how to be presidential before you consider running again. Shed hate and negativism. Devise a consistent message and give America something positive (your own ideas ... not stealing!). NEVER LIE to American people. Also, learn that governing is not a family affair. Leave your husband and kids at home, regularly go to office and work ... work hard for people. After achieving all these, we will give you a fair chance in the lower 48.

Wish you and your family the best ...

November 5, 2008 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

dick bohanon

thank goodness enough voters rejected
the divisive politics that the republicans
have come to represent.
republicans can thank mccain for making palin the
face of their party.
if the hateful bitterness ever subsides,
come join us in a better america,
one that actually cares about those
who do not embelish our own self interest.
the word is empathy-try it if you are mature enough

November 5, 2008 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

Marc PDX

Nothing highlighted the media bias in this election more than the contrast in how Sarah Palin and Barack Obama were portrayed and treated. McCain probably made a mistake picking someone as inexperienced as Palin as his running mate. Eventually she may be a fine national politician, but not now. The media put enormous focus on her inexperience at every opportunity. She was more thoroughly covered than any of the other three candidates even though she was the running mate, not the presidential candidate. Obama didn't have appreciably more experience than Palin, on the other hand, yet the media thought nothing of that. Double standard. Ok for me, but not for you. But someone put it very well last night: If Palin is to inexperienced then Obama is too inexperienced. And he's the one running for President. But the media only cared about one person's inexperience in this election, not the others'.

November 5, 2008 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

Dave In Ohio

I know it's a pipe dream to hope that evangelicals will go away forever, but hopefully we'll have at least 4 years without their foolish nonsense.

November 5, 2008 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

Chris

Thank-you Republicans. You have managed to divide and destroy our democracy, but not before enough of us realized what was happening. Obama's victory, is a victory for a change in direction and a restoration of what can make this country great. Blind arrogance and divisive tactics will not work any more. The people have spoken. Get back to your core principles and you might be trusted at the reins in 4 years.

November 5, 2008 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

Philip

Dave in central Illinois, that much hatred is bad for your health.
You should see a doctor. In the mean time don't worry, your world won't turn into a watermellon, the bald eagle won't be replaced with a fried chicken, and the national athem won't be done in rap. Barak Obama will be judged based on his performance, just like any other person. If he fails the electoriate will reject him, if he succeeds he will be re-elected. Your face won't turn brown, and your lips won't get thick so just relax and enjoy the ride. Either that, or go see a doctor.

November 5, 2008 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

Elizabeth - Texas - Former Republican

I hated how nasty Palin was and how much she lied. It didn't seem to phase her.

I'm so glad she, the First Dude and Joe Plumber are back in Alaska. I feel sorry for those people.

God Bless the USA

November 5, 2008 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

Marie Ontario

The GOP can blame Palin all they want but the truth is that it wasn't the woman that was rejected as much as it was the woman's message. If the Republican Party doesn't get rid of their right wing extremists and Evangelicals then they will never get back to being a viable choice in American Politics.

November 5, 2008 01:38 pm at 1:38 pm |

Corinne T.

I am really surprised to see Sarah Palin still wearing the $150,000 that she was supposed to give to charities just after the election. Has she changed her mind and decided to wait until 2012 to run for presidency with these clothes?

November 5, 2008 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

F.Johnson.

McCain-Palin ticket crashed and burned. It was arson. But they set the fires themselves. Those who blamed Sarah Palin for the lost, , need to be reminded, whose experience and judgement picked her to be VP.
.

November 5, 2008 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

Dawn

So this is what bringing the country together means? Bashing a sitting governor, a wife, a mother of 5, a sister, a daughter? How much more sad can you people get. Obama won, and I didn't vote for him. I will not however demean him the way those on the left demeaned Sarah Palin, John McCain, or Pres. Bush. Your hatred has evidently not gone away. I feel sorry for you all.

November 5, 2008 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

Wade

How could anyone seriously choose this woman as a good candidate for any office. Personally I dont see her being able to run a fast food restaraunt much less this country!!

November 5, 2008 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

Gail AL.

The very thought of Michelle Obama being in the whitehouse makes me sick to my stomach. A woman full of hate, this has set the standard for first lady to the lowest low.

When Obama raises our taxes, Blacks no more excuses, get a job and help pay your fair share, NO MORE EXCUSES.

November 5, 2008 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |

Cindy

My best moment last night was waving goodbye to the tv screen when it panned over to her and Todd!

November 5, 2008 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |

Greg, San Francisco, CA

Does anyone know where Sarah's outfits are going to be donated? Would love to pick up a $5000 dress for the wife.

November 5, 2008 01:41 pm at 1:41 pm |

america-reborn

in sports we teach our children to congratulate the losing team, i thought this woman was such a big sports fan, yet she would not even give president obama the simple words of congratulations.just shows what a BAD ROLE MODEL SHE WOULD HAVE MADE .

November 5, 2008 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |

ATLian

From the minute she mocked Obama as "just a community organizer" I knew she was dead meat. Her devisive Republican politics are no longer welcomed. Obama ran a brilliant campaign. He never waivered from his theme of hope and change no matter what they threw at him. He never got down in the mud with them even though they threw the kitchen sink at him. So she had more experience than Obama? Well, in this world intelligence and character trump experience every time.

November 5, 2008 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |

Alan

Think about Sarah Palin – consider her with the same history, same experience, same ideas, same voice, same everything, EXCEPT... Picture her looking like Janet Reno. Would she be where she is today?

November 5, 2008 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS

DEMOCRATS ARE VERY MEAN AND COLD PEOPLE, NO HEART, NO SOUL AND ONLY THINK OF THEM SELVES........

November 5, 2008 01:45 pm at 1:45 pm |

VA Bob

To all the hateful folks screaming about being looted and robbed, it is apparent you know nothing of politics beyond slogans you scream.
What elected party is going to raise taxes to reward moochers and loafers(exempting bankers and Wall Street and Big Oil, the Republicans favorite charities).
You people make no sense beyond the fact that you hate for the sake of hate. Such childish behavior.
I was a Hillary supporter, who was disappointed, but when push came to shove realized that Barack represented her views as well as his own. Beyond cleaning up the mess left behind by the "Joe the Plumbers" presently in the White House, this Nation has alot of work ahead to attempt to heal this hateful divide, seen in some of these comments, left to us by Bush\Cheney and their old pal Karl. That is the only legacy they leave behind-a pathetic one at that. "We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men are created equal." Finally that thought has been carried to its logical conclusion.

November 5, 2008 01:45 pm at 1:45 pm |

Rick

Palin's impact on the ticket this time, and her future in 2012, can both be summed up in one phrase: Dan Quayle with lipstick. Only difference is, he would have been more qualified (and is probably a better speller).

Stick a fork in her. She's done.

November 5, 2008 01:45 pm at 1:45 pm |

Peter (CA)

Palin was the most unqualified person on a national ticket since Dan Quayle (right wingers-I said unqualified, not inexperienced).
She has little intellectual curiousity and a "shoot first" mentality that would make W proud. She was brought on as a prop and rightly rejected–not because she is a woman but because she could not do the job. Her speeches were vile and unbecoming.

Problem is if Stevens holds the Senate seat in Alaska, we will have Caribou Barbie in the Senate when he is removed from his seat. The Republicans can put her as the new face of the party but that will eventually bite them in the behind.

No Hillary-Get over it, Hillary did.

Dave, central Illinois-Please find a rock to crawl under.

November 5, 2008 01:47 pm at 1:47 pm |

Greed is not good

Yes Sarah truly is a polarizing, divisive candidate that did far more harm than good to the GOP.

Actually it was really her speechwriters that are to blame and the ridiculous obsession over "Joe the Plumber" whom isn't even named Joe nor has a license.